Cats UK

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0602498744338 Format: Box set Label: Polydor Manufacturer: Polydor Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Polydor Release Date: 2005-11-07 Running Time: 95 Studio: Polydor
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Editorial Reviews: Since its debut in 1981, London's and the world's longest-running musical still secures bums on seats in a dozen theatres worldwide. Uncountable recastings and re-orchestrations later, Lloyd Webber's adaption of T. S. Eliot's Old Possums Book of Cats strives to please the ears of ever new generations. This is the original cast recording, and it retains a freshness from the still recent opening, its novelty untarnished by decades of success. Also the abundance of "names"--both singers and musicians--makes this one of the high class musical recordings of all times. Elaine Paige rose to stardom as Grizabella with the hit "Memories"; at the time, though, bigger names were Wayne Sleep, Paul Nicholas and Brian Blessed. Sarah Brightman and Bonnie Langford are also on the cast list. Lloyd Webber himself plays keyboards and the impressive roster of session musicians includes Barbara Thompson and David Locke. Lloyd Webber, well versed in the practise of "auto-quotation", can always look back to this work for cat-chy material: the "Overture", "Old Gumbie Cat", "Rum Tum Tugger" and "Mr.Mistoffelees", the list of good tunes and themes goes on and on. This remains a fun listening experience, even for those few who still haven't caught the show. --Yngvil V.G.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Very Disapointing Comment: Having seen the show live and falling instantly in love with it I could not wait to buy the Ultimate DVD. Although the DVD was different to the live show I had seen it is still great and gave me access to great stars such as Elaine Page, Sir John Mills and Jason Gardner to name a few. So it was with eager anticipation that I ordered the soundtrack for me and my daughters to listen to in the car. We expected the soundtracks to be the same as our much loved show and DVD - THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Some of the soundtracks are sung by other people and the standard is no where near the standard recieved on the DVD - the only exception being Memories by Elaine Page. We were personally horrified by one of our favourites Mungojerri and Rumpleteazer where the music is completely different and Mcavity has completely lost the sultry sound that it has in the show. At a massive 14.99 I really did expect much more from my money, especially from a CD that I will probably never listen to again. The one star is for Elaine Page managing to keep the continuity, Thank you! Customer Rating: Summary: Unless you're a hardened fan, don't bother... Comment: If you're expecting another amazing classic from the genius who is Andrew Lloyd Webber, then you'll be sorely disappointed. Lloyd Webber created a score around a series of poems by TS Eliot about a clutter of "jellicle" (?) cats. And the word "jellicle" is not the only tosh involved in this musical farce. The fact that the basis for the show is not a story but several, individual verses tells heavily in the lack of any definable plot. The only storyline to tell of is the meeting of the cats to await Old Deuteronomy's decision about who will move on to the Heaviside Layer (ie die), which any fool can work out will be the weathered outcast, Grizabella. End of plot! This covers only the very beginning and very end of the show, leaving the majority to suffer the merciless introduction of pointless characters, who are inconsequential to the little bit of plot that there is, and the skipping from one unrelated scene to another. A 25-pound cat and two cat burglars, none of whom reappear, a feline felon whose only purpose is to kidnap (or is that catnap!) Old Deuteronomy so that the magical Mr Mistoffolees can be introduced. To the show's credit, however, this number is the best after "Memory". And the reminiscences of Gus are ridiculous, as they refer to his theatre days - again inconsequential. To be fair, Lloyd Webber has worked his magic in the score - the music is varied and interesting, but not sufficiently so to relieve the boredom created by the lack of storyline and meaningful lyrics. The lack of relevant characters and plot means that you don't bond with the show and don't care what happens. I have owned this CD for years and have never been able to get into it. Even watching the DVD didn't resolve this. I recently went to see the show, under the impression that, if I saw it, I would understand the story better and therefore appreicate the show more. All I can say is that the whole dubious charm of the show lies in the visuals - the choreography and its execution, sets, costumes and makeup, all of which are truly fantastic. I wouldn't see this show again, however, and I certainly wouldn't recommend purchasing an audio version, as, without the visual aspect, there is little left to bother with. Customer Rating: Summary: A wesk yet historically important CATS recording Comment: Although this CATS recording is the grand-daddy of all that came after it, I find that there are times when it doesn't do justice to the musical. Not to disrespect it, but to look at it objectively certain things about it don't seem as polished as they do on the video and the Broadway cast recording. The original version of the score presented here may be fascinating but yet they only serve to make the rewrites appear better, but the polished performances help do the score justice, even if at times they may be wanting some oomph. Elaine Paige is a true Grizabella in her own right. It's true that this early recording doesn't allow her to nuance the role as she did in the video, but she conveys a strength and vulnerability in her portrayal of the role. True, this early recording may not have Buckley's subtleties, but Paige gives a sure rendition of Memory. Brian Blessed partners her with his sincere and benevolent portrayal of Old Deuteronomy, and the supporting cast does quite well. However, I found Paul Nicholas as The Rum Tum Tugger to be somewhat wanting in energy. The orchestrations are less flashy but you can hear the sort of sound that Lloyd-Webber originally intended for the musical, and the variants. Yes, this OLC version is like a concept album of sorts, staying closer to the T.S. Eliot cat poems without cutting verses as in later productions. But there are two variants worth mentioning, the original jazzy version of Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, and the Ballad of Billy M'Caw that is included in Growltiger's Last Stand. They are fascinating in their own right, but I tend to prevfer the revised versions (and yes, the Italian aria that was later substituted), as they do more justice to their scenes. I know this isn't my first choice for a CATS recording (that lies with the Broadway recording - no Yankcentrism intended) but the variants are fascinating and interesting and one can get closer to the original T.S. Eliot book in this version, and the original conception of the musical as well. Customer Rating: Summary: Compelled to give this 5 stars Comment: Not because it's the best album in the world (let alone the best show in the world) but because, arriving as it did in 1981 and being the daddy of all Cats recordings, this is the only version with a single shred of originality. Obvious perhaps, seeing as it came first, but it's actually quite unique. This is why: It's the only album with sufficiently powerful orchestrations - listen to the Overture or the Jellicle Ball to see what I mean. At the same time there is shade and subtlety not found on other recordings. It's the only album to feature the original, full length versions of Bustopher Jones, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Old Deuteronomy, The Ballad of Billy McCaw and - most significantly - Memory, which was subsequently torn to bits for Broadway and other productions (sadly even London). It's the only version to pull together such a mass of new and established talent - Bonnie Langford, Sarah Brightman, Jeff Shankley, Brian Blessed, Paul Nicholas, Wayne Sleep, Elaine Page. Finally, it's the only version of the show which has an individual, un-sausage-moulded sound, be it orchestrations, musicianship, production, or vocal interpretations. Almost all other albums which followed are identical to each other, but this one stands out. The possible exception is the Broadway cast album, in which Betty Buckley tears Memory to shreds. Dreadful perhaps, but at least it's memorable! Cats is supposed to be, and be about, magic, and this album has it. Customer Rating: Summary: Meow Comment: Original London cast recordings have always been my favourite. I own this on record (purchased by my parents in 1982!) and the sound is beginning to go so I purchased the CD. Attractively packaged and very well presented- the inlays include facts about Cats, pictures and full lyrics. The original London cast features many big names- Paul Nicholas (as the fabulous Rum Tum Tugger) Bonnie Langford,Brian Blessed, Wayne Sleep, Sarah Brightman and Elaine Page. The level of talent is amazing- Sarah Brightman is a joy in this, one of her first ever roles, and Elaine Page clearly set the benchmark for Grizabella. Other talents include Jeff Shankley, creating the role of Munkustrap, and Stephen Tate as Gus the theatre cat. Sound quality absolutely superb- the songs are lively and very enjoyable. An absolute must for any Andrew Lloyd Webber fan. More Reviews